Surge in drowning cases worry police

Police in Masvingo Province have raised alarm over a worrying increase in drowning cases, particularly involving young boys, as extreme heat drives children to seek relief in nearby rivers and dams.

In the past 10 days alone, authorities have recorded more than five drowning incidents across Triangle, Ndanga, Bikita, Zaka, and Gokomere  -  including the tragic death of a Grade 7 pupil who had just completed his final ZIMSEC examination.

Masvingo provincial deputy police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Masauso Patinyu, said investigations suggest that the recent heatwave, coupled with low water levels in many dams, has made swimming in muddy water bodies especially dangerous.

"There is a surge in drowning cases in the province and they all involve minors. We suspect that due to the extreme temperatures being experienced, children are tempted to cool themselves in the water bodies and end up drowning as some dams are now filled with mud due to low water levels," said Patinyu.

"We strongly urge parents and guardians to frequently check on their children's whereabouts and stop them from playing near water bodies."

One of the latest incidents occurred in Gokomere on Friday around 4pm when Jolly Zimbudzi, a boy from Mangenge Village under Chief Zimuto, drowned in Matova Dam.

According to police, Jolly and his nine-year-old brother had been sent by their grandmother to fetch water for a construction project at their homestead. The two boys reportedly began swimming after collecting the water, but Jolly became stuck in the muddy dam and could not be rescued in time.

Villagers who rushed to the scene managed to save the younger brother but found Jolly already dead. His body was later taken to Masvingo Provincial Hospital for a post-mortem.

Police have since intensified awareness campaigns in communities near dams and rivers, urging families to educate children on the dangers of swimming in unsupervised or unsafe water bodies.